Sambucol Kids Black Elderberry Syrup with Vitamin C, 4 fl oz, Ages 2+

What Sambucol Kids is

It is Sambucol's black elderberry syrup for children 2 years and older, with added vitamin C. Each 2-teaspoon (10 ml) serving has 1.9 g of black elderberry extract and 65 mg of vitamin C. The box holds a 4 fl oz (120 ml) bottle, 12 servings, with a berry taste. It is a product of France, made for PharmaCare US. It costs $50.26, about $4.19 per 10 ml serving. Free shipping in Puerto Rico on orders from $35, or pick it up at our store in Galería Paseos.

The front of the box reads «Advanced Immune Support*».

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

What the box says

• «Helps support your child's immune system*»
• «Can be used every day for year-round support*»
• «Antioxidants & Vitamin C»
• «Delicious berry taste»
• «Our Kids Syrup is made specially for little ones to help support developing immune systems.*»
• «Uniquely crafted. Berry potent.» Gluten free, vegan, no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. «FREE FROM GLUTEN, DAIRY, SOY, WHEAT, NUTS, ARTIFICIAL COLOR AND FLAVORS»
• Kosher: supervised by the Chief Rabbinate of Beth Din de Paris.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Its ingredients and what they do in the body

Black elderberry extract (1.9 g per 10 ml serving). It is the dark purple berry of the European or black elder tree, which grows in Europe, North America, Western Asia and North Africa, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Its color comes from anthocyanins, plant pigments: a U.S. Department of Agriculture study (Lee and Finn, 2007, PubMed 20836175) found that the main anthocyanins of European elderberry are cyanidin-based and that its other main polyphenols are chlorogenic acid and rutin. A 2021 review (Domínguez and colleagues, PubMed 34828994) explains that, because of that content of anthocyanins, other polyphenols and vitamins, the food industry uses elderberry as a natural colorant and as an antioxidant. The box sums it up as «Antioxidants & Vitamin C». Each 2-teaspoon (10 ml) serving has 1.9 g of extract; the box does not say how many berries it comes from. The NCCIH notes that research in people on elderberry is still limited.

Vitamin C (65 mg per 10 ml serving, as ascorbic acid). According to MedlinePlus, from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. It is used to form collagen, a protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels; to repair and maintain cartilage, bones and teeth; and to aid in the absorption of iron. It is also one of many antioxidants, and the body does not make or store vitamin C, so it has to come from the daily diet.

What sets it apart: the box says «Black Elderberry»: it is black elder, which the NCCIH identifies with European elder, and not American elder (Sambucus canadensis). The U.S. Department of Agriculture study (Lee and Finn, 2007, PubMed 20836175) found that these two species have different anthocyanin profiles, although cyanidin-based ones predominate in both.

These explanations describe normal body functions; they are not results measured with this product.

Box facts

Daily Values for adults and children 4 years and older are based on a 2,000 calorie diet; for children under 4 years, on a 1,000 calorie diet. The whole table is for 10 ml: a child 2 to 3 years old takes 5 ml as the daily dose, half of those values.

Dose by age

These are the directions printed on the box. Optional: mix the syrup in water, fruit juice, smoothies, yogurt and more. With everyday use, the 120 ml bottle lasts 24 days for ages 2 to 3 (120 ÷ 5) and 12 days for ages 4 to 12 (120 ÷ 10).

To preserve quality and freshness, keep it tightly sealed and store it in a cool, dry place. It is sealed for your protection: do not use if the seal is broken or missing.

Precautions

• Not suitable for children under 2 years.
• Do not use if seal is broken or missing.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sambucol Kids used for?

It is a black elderberry syrup with vitamin C for children 2 years and older. The box reads «Helps support your child's immune system*». *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

How much Sambucol Kids do I give my child?

Ages 2 to 3, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) daily, and ages 4 to 12, 2 teaspoons (10 ml) daily, for everyday use per the box. For intensive use: ages 2 to 3, 1 teaspoon four times daily; ages 4 to 12, 2 teaspoons four times daily.

From what age can it be given?

From 2 years. The box says it is not suitable for children under 2 years.

How much vitamin C does it have?

65 mg of vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) per 2-teaspoon (10 ml) serving, 72% of the Daily Value for adults and children 4 years and older.

Does it have sugar?

Yes. Each 10 ml serving has 7 g of total sugars, including 3.5 g of added sugar, and 25 calories. The ingredient list starts with glucose syrup.

Is it vegan and gluten free?

Yes. The box says it is vegan and free from gluten, dairy, soy, wheat, nuts, artificial color and flavors.

Where can I buy Sambucol Kids in Puerto Rico?

At Borinquen Natural, for $50.26 per 4 fl oz (120 ml) box. Free shipping in Puerto Rico on orders from $35, or pick it up at our store in Galería Paseos.

More for kids

Find more options in children's vitamins and, for the whole family, in immune system products.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.